The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard “Dick” Ara Harpootlian as its South Carolina State Chair.
“Dick is one of the leading political strategists and commentators in our country. As a close friend and key decision-maker in South Carolina, it is an honor to have him on board with the Assembly,” Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian said.
Harpootlian is one of South Carolina’s leading courtroom advocates, with 30 years of trial experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and civil litigator. In addition to his law practice, he has been active in local South Carolina politics. He was popularly elected and served on the Richland County Council from 1986 to 1991. Harpootlian served as Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 1998 to 2003, and again from 2011 to 2013. During his first tenure as Democratic Party Chair, South Carolina voters elected Governor James Hodges and five other Democrats to statewide office. Significantly, Governor Hodges became the first gubernatorial candidate to unseat an incumbent South Carolina governor in that state’s history.
Dick Harpootlian’s views as a commentator on law and politics are regularly sought by national news programs. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, ABC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and various CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, and Fox News broadcasts. He is also frequently quoted in local, state, and national publications, including by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, and TIME Magazine.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.